At the A1 level, you only need to know that 余额 (yú'é) is a word for 'money in your card.' Think of it as the number you see when you check your bus card or your phone. When you go to a shop or a bus, the machine might show a number—that is your 余额. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember: 余额 = money left. If you see '0.00' on your screen, your 余额 is zero. A simple way to remember it is '余' means 'left' and '额' means 'amount.' So, it is the 'amount left.' You might hear a teacher say '余额不足' if a student tries to pay for something but doesn't have enough money. It's a very useful word for surviving in a city where everyone uses cards and phones to pay for things.
At the A2 level, you can start using 余额 in basic sentences about shopping and transportation. You should know the phrase '查询余额' (cháxún yú'é), which means 'to check the balance.' If you are using a shared bike or buying a snack with your phone, you might need to check how much money you have left. You can say '我的余额不多了' (My balance is not much left). You should also recognize '充值' (chōngzhí), which means to add money to your 余额. At this level, you are becoming more independent in daily life, so knowing how to ask '哪里可以查询余额?' (Where can I check the balance?) is very helpful. You are moving from just recognizing the word to using it in simple, functional ways to manage your daily expenses.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 余额 in a variety of social and practical contexts. You understand that 余额 isn't just for cash; it's for any prepaid system, like a gym membership or an internet cafe account. You can describe problems with your balance, such as '余额不对' (the balance is incorrect) or '余额被冻结了' (the balance is frozen). You are also starting to see the word in more formal emails from banks or apps. You should be able to explain the concept to someone else: '余额就是你账户里剩下的钱' (Balance is the money left in your account). You are also beginning to notice that 余额 is used in compound words like '账户余额' (account balance) or '可用余额' (available balance). Your vocabulary is expanding to include the adjectives that describe a balance, like '充足' (sufficient).
At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should understand the nuances of 余额 and how it differs from similar words like 剩余 (shèngyú) or 结余 (jiéyú). You can use it in professional settings, such as discussing a company's financial status or an audit. You are also aware of the metaphorical and slang uses of the word. For example, you can understand a joke about '智商余额不足' (insufficient IQ balance) or '假期余额' (remaining holiday time). You can use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as '随着支出的增加,账户余额逐渐减少' (With the increase in spending, the account balance gradually decreased). You understand that 余额 represents a measured, quantified amount within a system. You can switch between formal financial contexts and casual internet slang effortlessly, showing a deep grasp of how the word functions in modern Chinese society.
At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated understanding of 余额 in economic and academic contexts. You can discuss '借方余额' (debit balance) and '贷方余额' (credit balance) in the context of accounting principles. You understand how 余额 fits into larger economic discussions about liquidity, cash flow, and financial stability. You can write formal reports using the word and understand its implications in legal contracts (e.g., '余额返还条款' - balance refund clauses). You are also sensitive to the stylistic choices of using 余额 versus more literary terms like '所余' or '残值'. Your use of the word is precise, and you can explain its etymological roots and its evolution in the digital age. You can engage in high-level debates about digital currency and how the concept of a 'balance' is changing in a world of blockchain and decentralized finance.
At the C2 level, you have mastered 余额 to the point of native-like intuition. You can use it in creative writing, poetry, or high-level philosophical discourse to represent the 'remaining portion' of life, fate, or cosmic energy. You understand the deepest historical layers of the characters 余 and 额 and how they have merged into this modern concept. You can interpret the word in complex legal, financial, and political documents with absolute accuracy. You are also a master of the word's social pragmatics—knowing exactly when to use it to sound professional, humorous, or clinical. You can analyze the word's role in the 'gamification' of modern life, where everything from health to social credit is tracked as a 余额. Your command of the word is total, allowing you to use it as a tool for both precise communication and subtle expression.

余额 en 30 segundos

  • 余额 (yú'é) is the standard Chinese term for an account balance or remaining sum.
  • It is essential for daily life in China's cashless society for apps and cards.
  • Grammatically, it acts as a noun and pairs with verbs like 'check' or 'top up'.
  • Metaphorically, it can describe the 'remaining' part of time, energy, or capacity.

The Chinese word 余额 (yú'é) is a fundamental term in modern daily life, primarily referring to the 'balance' of an account or the 'remaining sum' of money. Linguistically, it is a compound noun formed by two characters: 余 (yú), which means 'surplus,' 'remainder,' or 'extra,' and 额 (é), which refers to a 'fixed amount,' 'quota,' or 'sum.' When combined, they literally translate to the 'surplus amount.' While its most common application is in financial contexts—such as bank accounts, mobile payment apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay, and prepaid transit cards—it has also evolved metaphorically in internet culture to describe the 'remaining' portion of non-monetary resources, such as energy, patience, or even time left in a holiday.

Financial Transaction Context
In the digital age, 余额 is the number you see at the top of your banking app. It represents the total liquid assets available for immediate use. When you buy something, the 余额 decreases; when you receive your salary, the 余额 increases. It is specifically used for accounts that hold value, rather than physical cash in your pocket, which is more commonly referred to as 现金 (xiànjīn).
Prepaid Services
For mobile phone users in China, 话费余额 (huàfèi yú'é) is the remaining credit on a SIM card. Similarly, gym memberships, hair salon cards, and coffee shop loyalty cards all track your 余额. If the balance is too low to complete a transaction, you will encounter the dreaded phrase 余额不足 (yú'é bùzú), meaning 'insufficient balance.'
Metaphorical and Slang Usage
Younger generations often use 余额 humorously. For example, '智商余额不足' (zhìshāng yú'é bùzú) translates to 'IQ balance is insufficient,' a self-deprecating way to say one is feeling stupid or confused. During the end of a long vacation, one might complain that their '假期余额' (jiàqī yú'é) is running low, treating the holiday time as a depleting financial resource.

请确认您的账户余额是否充足,以免支付失败。(Please confirm whether your account balance is sufficient to avoid payment failure.)

Understanding 余额 is crucial for navigating life in China, where the society is almost entirely cashless. Whether you are checking your balance at an ATM, scanning a QR code for a shared bike, or paying for groceries, the concept of the 'remaining sum' is omnipresent. It differs from other words for 'remainder' like 剩余 (shèngyú) because 余额 is strictly quantitative and usually refers to a specific, measured amount within a system. You wouldn't use 余额 to talk about leftover food; that would be 剩菜 (shèngcài). 余额 is the language of ledgers, screens, and digital wallets.

由于连续加班,我的精力余额已经归零了。(Due to continuous overtime, my energy balance has reached zero.)

Using 余额 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and the specific verbs it typically pairs with. In Chinese grammar, 余额 most frequently acts as the object of verbs like 查询 (cháxún - to query/check), 充值 (chōngzhí - to top up), or 提取 (tíqǔ - to withdraw). It can also act as the subject in descriptive sentences, particularly when followed by adjectives like 充足 (chōngzú - sufficient) or 不足 (bùzú - insufficient). Because 余额 is a formal and technical term, it lends a sense of precision to the conversation, even when used in casual settings.

Verb + 余额 (Action-Oriented)
The most common action is checking a balance. You will see buttons on screens labeled '查询余额'. For example: '我想查询一下这张卡的余额' (I want to check the balance of this card). If you need to add money, you '增加余额' (increase balance) through '充值'. If you are closing an account, you might '结清余额' (settle/clear the balance).
余额 + Adjective (Status-Oriented)
To describe the state of an account, we use 余额 as the subject. '余额不足' is a fixed phrase seen on ticket gates and vending machines. Conversely, '余额充裕' (yú'é chōngyù) means the balance is very ample or plentiful, often used in financial reports or formal investment advice.
Possessive Constructions
余额 is often preceded by a possessive or a qualifying noun. '账户余额' (account balance), '银行余额' (bank balance), '钱包余额' (wallet balance), or '话费余额' (phone credit balance). This structure identifies exactly which 'pot' of money or resources you are referring to.

如果你的微信余额里还有钱,可以直接用来付账。(If there is still money in your WeChat balance, you can use it directly to pay the bill.)

In advanced usage, 余额 can be used in the context of accounting and auditing. Accountants discuss '借方余额' (debit balance) and '贷方余额' (credit balance). Here, the word takes on a professional weight, representing the net result of complex transactions. For learners at the B2 level, the goal is to move beyond just 'money left' and understand that 余额 represents the *quantifiable remainder* of a specific allocation. It is not just 'leftover' in a general sense; it is the 'remaining quota' of a predefined limit.

这家公司的账面上还有大量的现金余额。(This company still has a large cash balance on its books.)

In China, 余额 is a word that rings in your ears and flashes on your screens daily. Because the country has pioneered mobile payments, the word has transitioned from bank statements to the palm of everyone's hand. You will hear it in public service announcements, see it in app notifications, and use it in every financial interaction. It is one of those high-frequency words that bridges the gap between formal finance and the gritty reality of daily spending.

At the Subway or Bus Station
When you swipe your transportation card (交通卡) and the card reader beeps, a small screen often displays your '卡内余额' (balance inside the card). If you hear a synthesized voice saying '请充值' (please top up), it is because your 余额 is too low to cover the fare. This is perhaps the most common auditory encounter with the word.
E-commerce and Mobile Apps
When shopping on Taobao or JD.com, you might choose to pay using your '账户余额'. If you return an item, the refund is often credited back to your 余额. App notifications will frequently alert you: '您的余额变动提醒' (Reminder of a change in your balance), keeping you informed of every cent that enters or leaves your digital ecosystem.
Customer Service and Banking
When calling a bank's hotline, the automated menu will inevitably offer an option: '查询余额请按1' (To check your balance, please press 1). Bank tellers will ask, '您想把余额转入这张新卡吗?' (Would you like to transfer the balance to this new card?). In these professional settings, 余额 is the standard, polite, and precise term for money in an account.

自动取款机显示我的卡内余额为零,这让我非常惊讶。(The ATM showed that my card balance was zero, which surprised me greatly.)

Beyond the literal, you will hear 余额 in social media memes. During the 'Double 11' (Singles' Day) shopping festival, a common joke is '钱包余额已欠费' (Wallet balance is already in arrears), implying that the person has spent more than they have. In gaming, players check their '点卡余额' (point card balance) to buy skins or upgrades. The word is so pervasive that it has become a synonym for 'capacity' or 'availability' in the digital consciousness of Chinese speakers.

对不起,您的手机余额不足,请及时充值。(Sorry, your phone balance is insufficient; please top up in time.)

While 余额 is a relatively straightforward term, English speakers often make mistakes by over-applying it to situations where other 'remainder' words are more appropriate. The most common error is failing to distinguish between 余额 (financial/measured balance) and 剩余 (general leftover/surplus). Because English uses 'balance' or 'remainder' in many contexts, learners might try to use 余额 for physical objects or time in a way that sounds unnatural to native Chinese ears.

Confusing 余额 with 剩余 (Shèngyú)
剩余 is an adjective or noun meaning 'leftover' or 'surplus' in a general sense. You can have 剩余的力量 (remaining strength) or 剩余的物资 (surplus materials). 余额 is strictly for a *quota* or *sum*. You cannot say '饭的余额' for leftover food; you must use '剩饭' or '剩余的饭'. Using 余额 for food makes it sound like the rice is in a bank account.
Confusing 余额 with 找零 (Zhǎolíng)
In English, if you pay $10 for a $7 item, the $3 is 'change.' In Chinese, this is 找零 or 零钱. Some learners mistakenly call this 余额. 余额 is what stays *in* the account; 找零 is the physical cash the shopkeeper hands *back* to you. If you are at a physical store, don't ask for your '余额' unless you are talking about a store credit card.
Incorrect Collocations with 'Spend'
You don't 'spend' a balance (花余额). You spend 'money' (花钱), which *results* in a lower balance. A common mistake is saying '我想花我的余额' (I want to spend my balance). Instead, say '我想用余额支付' (I want to pay using my balance). The distinction is subtle but important for sounding like a B2-level speaker.

错误:桌子上还有苹果的余额
正确:桌子上还有剩余的苹果。(Error: There is a 'balance' of apples on the table. Correct: There are 'remaining' apples on the table.)

Another nuance is the difference between 余额 and 差额 (chā'é). 差额 refers to the 'difference' between two amounts (e.g., the trade gap or the difference between a budget and actual spending). If you are comparing two accounts, the gap between them is the 差额, while the amount in each individual account is the 余额. Mixing these up in a business meeting could lead to significant confusion regarding financial reports.

不要把余额和找给你的零钱搞混了。(Don't confuse the balance with the change given back to you.)

To truly master 余额, you must understand its place within the family of Chinese words that deal with 'remainders' and 'surpluses.' Chinese is very specific about the nature of what is 'left over.' By choosing the right word, you signal your level of education and your understanding of the context. Here is a comparison of 余额 with its closest synonyms and related terms.

余额 (Yú'é) vs. 结余 (Jiéyú)
While both refer to a balance, 结余 is more formal and is often used in accounting or annual reports to describe the 'surplus' remaining after all expenses are deducted from income over a period. 余额 is the *current* state of the account at any moment. You check your 余额 daily, but a company calculates its 结余 at the end of the fiscal year.
余额 (Yú'é) vs. 剩余 (Shèngyú)
剩余 is a broad, general term for 'remainder' or 'surplus.' It can be used for abstract things (剩余价值 - surplus value), physical things (剩余的木材 - leftover wood), or time. 余额 is specific to *quantified sums* in a ledger or account. If you can't count it as a currency value, 剩余 is usually the safer choice.
余额 (Yú'é) vs. 盈余 (Yíngyú)
盈余 specifically refers to 'profit' or 'surplus' in a business context—money that is left over after costs are covered. It has a positive connotation of 'gain.' 余额 is neutral; it's just the balance, whether that balance is $1 or $1,000,000.
余额 (Yú'é) vs. 零钱 (Língqián)
零钱 refers to small change or pocket money. It is physical coins and small bills. While your 'WeChat Balance' might consist of small amounts of money, you would call the digital sum 余额, not 零钱, unless you are using the 'WeChat Pocket' (零钱) feature specifically named by the app.

虽然账户里还有余额,但本月的财政结余并不理想。(Although there is still a balance in the account, this month's financial surplus is not ideal.)

In summary, use 余额 for digital and financial balances. Use 结余 for formal accounting results. Use 剩余 for general leftovers. Use 盈余 for profit. Use 零钱 for physical small change. Mastering these distinctions will make your Chinese sound precise and professional.

我们需要把上个季度的盈余转入本季度的可用余额中。(We need to transfer the surplus from the last quarter into this quarter's available balance.)

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The character '额' (é) contains the component '页' (yè), which historically referred to a person's head. It's interesting how a word for 'forehead' became the standard term for a financial 'quota' or 'balance'!

Guía de pronunciación

UK jǔ'ě
US jǔ'ě
The emphasis is slightly more on the second syllable 'é'.
Rima con
车 (chē) 乐 (lè) 热 (rè) 盒 (hé) 河 (hé) 色 (sè) 得 (dé) 各 (gè)
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing 'yu' as 'you'. It should be the 'ü' sound (like French 'u').
  • Falling too low on the second syllable; it should be a clear rising tone.
  • Merging the two syllables into one 'yue' sound.
  • Using the wrong tone for 'yu' (e.g., 1st or 4th tone).
  • Forgetting the glottal stop or clear separation between the two characters.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Easy to recognize on screens and in apps.

Escritura 4/5

The character '额' is somewhat complex to write by hand.

Expresión oral 3/5

Requires correct tones to avoid confusion.

Escucha 2/5

Very distinct sound in financial contexts.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

钱 (Money) 银行 (Bank) 账户 (Account) 多 (Many) 少 (Few)

Aprende después

充值 (Top up) 提现 (Withdraw) 转账 (Transfer) 利息 (Interest) 理财 (Financial management)

Avanzado

资产负债表 (Balance sheet) 流动性 (Liquidity) 通货膨胀 (Inflation) 审计 (Audit)

Gramática que debes saber

Noun as Object

他正在[查询][余额]。(He is checking the balance.)

Noun as Subject with Adjective

[余额][充足]。(The balance is sufficient.)

Possessive Modifier

[我的][余额]。(My balance.)

Compound Noun Formation

[账户][余额]。(Account balance.)

Resultative Complement

余额[用完]了。(The balance is used up.)

Ejemplos por nivel

1

我的余额是十块钱。

My balance is ten yuan.

Subject (我的余额) + Verb (是) + Amount (十块钱).

2

卡里还有余额吗?

Is there still a balance in the card?

Location (卡里) + Adverb (还有) + Noun (余额) + Question Particle (吗).

3

余额不足。

Insufficient balance.

This is a fixed four-character phrase often seen on screens.

4

我要查询余额。

I want to check the balance.

Subject (我) + Modal Verb (要) + Verb (查询) + Object (余额).

5

余额是零。

The balance is zero.

Simple identification sentence.

6

请看余额。

Please look at the balance.

Polite Command (请) + Verb (看) + Object (余额).

7

余额很多。

The balance is a lot.

Subject (余额) + Adverb (很) + Adjective (多).

8

你的余额是多少?

How much is your balance?

Question about a quantity.

1

你可以去银行查询余额。

You can go to the bank to check the balance.

Using '去...查询' to show purpose.

2

充值以后,你的余额会增加。

After topping up, your balance will increase.

Time phrase (充值以后) + Subject (余额) + Change (会增加).

3

我的手机余额用完了。

My phone balance is used up.

Resultative complement (用完了).

4

这张卡里的余额可以买咖啡。

The balance in this card can buy coffee.

Noun phrase as subject (这张卡里的余额).

5

请告诉我你的账户余额。

Please tell me your account balance.

Imperative sentence with double objects.

6

余额不足,不能开锁。

Insufficient balance, cannot unlock (the bike).

Cause and effect relationship.

7

他查询了三次余额。

He checked the balance three times.

Using '了' for completed action and a frequency measure.

8

余额还剩下五十块。

The balance still has fifty yuan left.

Using '剩下' to emphasize what remains.

1

为了安全起见,请不要向陌生人透露余额。

For safety's sake, please do not reveal your balance to strangers.

Formal phrase '为了...起见'.

2

如果你想退款,余额会回到原账户。

If you want a refund, the balance will return to the original account.

Conditional '如果...就/会' structure.

3

他发现银行卡的余额少了一百块。

He discovered that the bank card balance was missing a hundred yuan.

Verb '发现' followed by a clause.

4

请确认支付金额是否小于当前余额。

Please confirm whether the payment amount is less than the current balance.

Formal '是否' (whether) structure.

5

这个月我的话费余额一直很充足。

My phone balance has been very sufficient this month.

Time duration (这个月) + Subject + Adverb (一直) + Adjective (充足).

6

你可以通过手机银行随时查询余额。

You can check the balance anytime through mobile banking.

Using '通过' to indicate the method.

7

余额变动会自动发送短信提醒。

Balance changes will automatically send a text message reminder.

Noun phrase '余额变动' as the subject.

8

由于余额不足,这笔交易被取消了。

Due to insufficient balance, this transaction was cancelled.

Passive voice '被' and cause '由于'.

1

理财产品的本金和收益都会计入余额。

The principal and returns of wealth management products will be included in the balance.

Technical financial terms: 本金 (principal) and 收益 (returns).

2

每到月底,我都会仔细核对账户余额。

At the end of every month, I carefully check and verify my account balance.

Using '核对' (to verify/audit) with 余额.

3

虽然账户余额很高,但他依然生活得很节俭。

Although the account balance is high, he still lives very frugally.

Concession clause '虽然...但'.

4

系统显示您的可用余额暂时无法提取。

The system shows that your available balance cannot be withdrawn temporarily.

Noun phrase '可用余额' (available balance).

5

这次长假结束后,我的假期余额已经归零了。

After this long holiday, my holiday balance has reached zero.

Metaphorical use of 余额 for time.

6

公司需要确保每张预付卡的余额都能被追踪。

The company needs to ensure that the balance of every prepaid card can be tracked.

Complex sentence with '确保' (ensure) and passive '被'.

7

你可以选择将余额转入余额宝以获取利息。

You can choose to transfer the balance into Yu'ebao to earn interest.

Proper noun '余额宝' (a famous Chinese money market fund).

8

在确认转账前,请再次核对余额是否正确。

Before confirming the transfer, please verify again whether the balance is correct.

Using '再次' (again) for emphasis in a process.

1

审计员正在审查公司账目,以确保现金余额的准确性。

The auditor is examining the company's accounts to ensure the accuracy of the cash balance.

Formal academic/business vocabulary: 审计员, 审查, 准确性.

2

该协议规定,合同终止后,剩余余额应在三十天内退还。

The agreement stipulates that after the termination of the contract, the remaining balance should be refunded within thirty days.

Legal terminology: 规定, 终止, 退还.

3

由于通货膨胀,银行账户里的实际余额购买力在下降。

Due to inflation, the purchasing power of the actual balance in bank accounts is decreasing.

Economic concept: 购买力 (purchasing power).

4

借方余额和贷方余额必须在资产负债表上达到平衡。

Debit balances and credit balances must balance on the balance sheet.

Specialized accounting terms: 借方, 贷方, 资产负债表.

5

他将一生的积蓄都看作是人生意义的余额。

He viewed his life's savings as the 'balance' of the meaning of his life.

Highly abstract and metaphorical use of the word.

6

系统漏洞导致部分用户的余额出现了异常波动。

A system loophole caused abnormal fluctuations in some users' balances.

Technical context: 漏洞 (loophole), 异常波动 (abnormal fluctuation).

7

该基金的年度报告详细列出了所有未分配的余额。

The fund's annual report lists all undistributed balances in detail.

Formal business reporting style.

8

我们需要对这些沉淀的余额进行有效的二次开发和利用。

We need to effectively re-develop and utilize these stagnant balances.

Using '沉淀' (stagnant/sedimented) as a metaphor for unused funds.

1

在数字化生存的今天,个人的信用余额往往比金钱余额更为重要。

In today's digital existence, an individual's credit 'balance' is often more important than their monetary balance.

Philosophical comparison using parallel structures.

2

历史的余额在现代化的浪潮中逐渐被稀释,甚至被遗忘。

The 'balance' of history is gradually diluted or even forgotten in the wave of modernization.

Highly literary use of 余额 as a metaphor for historical remnants.

3

这种金融衍生品的复杂性在于其余额的计算涉及到多重变量。

The complexity of this financial derivative lies in the fact that its balance calculation involves multiple variables.

Advanced syntax: '在于...涉及到...'.

4

在探讨人类命运共同体时,我们不能忽视资源分配的余额问题。

When discussing the community with a shared future for mankind, we cannot ignore the 'balance' issue of resource allocation.

High-level political discourse vocabulary.

5

作者以'余额'为隐喻,深刻剖析了现代人精神世界的匮乏。

The author uses 'balance' as a metaphor to deeply analyze the scarcity of the modern person's spiritual world.

Literary analysis terminology: 隐喻 (metaphor), 剖析 (analyze).

6

清算过程中,每一分钱的余额变动都必须经过严格的合规性审查。

During the liquidation process, every cent of balance change must undergo a strict compliance review.

Legal/Financial precision: 清算 (liquidation), 合规性审查 (compliance review).

7

随着算法的演进,系统对余额的预测已经达到了惊人的准确度。

With the evolution of algorithms, the system's prediction of balances has reached an astonishing level of accuracy.

Scientific/Technical phrasing.

8

即便是在生命最后的余额里,他依然保持着对知识的渴望。

Even in the final 'balance' of his life, he still maintained a thirst for knowledge.

Poetic use of 余额 to describe the end of life.

Colocaciones comunes

查询余额
余额不足
账户余额
可用余额
话费余额
卡内余额
结清余额
余额变动
提现余额
清空余额

Frases Comunes

余额宝

— Alipay's famous money market fund that earns interest on balances.

我把钱都存进余额宝了。

假期余额

— A humorous way to say how many days of vacation are left.

你的假期余额已不足。

智商余额

— Slang for someone acting silly or not being smart enough in a moment.

感觉今天智商余额不足。

精力余额

— Metaphor for how much energy or stamina one has left.

下班后我的精力余额归零了。

流量余额

— The remaining mobile data on a phone plan.

这个月的流量余额还很多。

点数余额

— Remaining points in a loyalty program or video game.

我还有一千个点数余额。

现金余额

— The actual cash portion of a larger investment account.

请保留一部分现金余额。

最低余额

— The minimum balance required to keep an account active.

该账户没有最低余额限制。

冻结余额

— Balance that is temporarily locked and cannot be spent.

由于争议,这部分余额被冻结了。

退还余额

— The act of giving back the remaining sum to the user.

我们会退还您卡内的余额。

Se confunde a menudo con

余额 vs 剩余

剩余 is for general leftovers (food, time), while 余额 is for measured sums.

余额 vs 找零

找零 is the physical change given back, 余额 is the digital amount left in the account.

余额 vs 差额

差额 is the difference between two numbers, 余额 is the number itself.

Modismos y expresiones

"绰绰有余"

— More than enough; plenty to spare. While it uses the '余' from 余额, it is a common idiom.

这些钱应付开支绰绰有余。

Literary/Formal
"余音绕梁"

— The music lingers in the air. Uses '余' as a remainder.

她的歌声真是余音绕梁。

Literary
"不遗余力"

— To spare no effort. Literally 'not leaving any remaining strength'.

他为慈善事业不遗余力。

Formal
"年年有余"

— May you have a surplus every year. A common Chinese New Year greeting.

祝大家新年快乐,年年有余!

Social/Traditional
"死有余辜"

— Even death cannot atone for one's crimes. A very strong idiom.

那个罪犯真是死有余辜。

Formal/Legal
"心有余而力不足"

— The will is there, but the strength is lacking.

我想帮他,但心有余而力不足。

General
"其余部分"

— The rest; the remaining part. A common phrase structure.

请完成其余部分的工作。

Neutral
"余生"

— The rest of one's life.

他想在海边度过余生。

Literary
"余热"

— Residual heat; metaphorically, the contribution of elderly people.

退休后他继续发挥余热。

Neutral
"余震"

— Aftershock of an earthquake.

地震后发生了多次余震。

Scientific/News

Fácil de confundir

余额 vs 结余

Both mean balance.

结余 is the result of a calculation at the end of a period; 余额 is the current status.

这个月的结余是五百元,现在的余额是一千元。

余额 vs 盈余

Both refer to extra money.

盈余 is specifically profit; 余额 is just the remaining amount.

公司的盈余增加了我们的账户余额。

余额 vs 余额

With 零钱.

零钱 is small change; 余额 is the total balance.

我没有零钱,只能用余额支付。

余额 vs 其余

Both use the character 余.

其余 is a pronoun meaning 'the others'; 余额 is a noun meaning 'balance'.

除了余额,其余的信息都是正确的。

余额 vs 余额

With 存款.

存款 is the total savings/deposit; 余额 is the current available balance.

我的存款很多,但这张卡的余额很少。

Patrones de oraciones

A1

我的余额是 [Amount]。

我的余额是五十块。

A2

我要查询 [Noun] 余额。

我要查询银行卡余额。

B1

由于 [Reason],余额不足。

由于买了很多东西,余额不足。

B2

请核对 [Noun] 余额是否正确。

请核对账户余额是否正确。

C1

[Noun] 余额的准确性至关重要。

现金余额的准确性至关重要。

C2

[Metaphor] 余额已然 [Status]。

历史的余额已然消逝。

B1

[Verb] 余额以后,[Result]。

充值余额以后,就可以上网了。

B2

将余额 [Verb] 到 [Location]。

将余额提取到银行卡。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

余额 (Balance)
余款 (Remaining sum)
盈余 (Surplus/Profit)
差额 (Difference/Gap)
总额 (Total amount)

Verbos

余 (To remain - literary)
充值 (To top up a balance)
结算 (To settle a balance)
扣款 (To deduct from a balance)

Adjetivos

多余 (Superfluous)
剩余 (Remaining)
业余 (Amateur/Spare time)

Relacionado

账户 (Account)
银行 (Bank)
钱包 (Wallet)
支付 (Pay)
利息 (Interest)

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in daily life due to mobile payments.

Errores comunes
  • Using 余额 for leftover food. 剩余的饭菜 / 剩饭

    余额 is only for money or quotas, not physical objects like food.

  • Saying '花余额' (Spend balance). 用余额支付 / 花钱

    You spend money, you don't 'spend' the balance itself; you use the balance to pay.

  • Confusing 余额 with 找零. 找零 (Change)

    余额 is what stays in the card; 找零 is the cash you get back from a merchant.

  • Using 余额 for 'the rest of the people'. 其余的人 / 剩下的人

    余额 is for amounts, not for counting people.

  • Pronouncing 'yu' like 'you'. yú (umlaut sound)

    The 'ü' sound is crucial; 'you' sounds like 'yǒu' (to have).

Consejos

Learn '不足'

Always learn 余额 with '不足' (insufficient). It's the most common pairing you'll encounter in real life.

Use with '查询'

If you need to find out your balance, the verb is always '查询'. Avoid using '看' in formal situations.

Cashless Society

Remember that in China, your '余额' is often more important than the cash in your wallet.

Humor

Use '假期余额' to joke with Chinese friends about the end of a holiday; they will be impressed by your natural phrasing.

Subway Beeps

Listen for the balance announcement at subway gates. It's a great way to practice hearing numbers and the word '余额'.

Character '额'

The character '额' is used in many financial terms (Quota, Amount). Learning it well will help with '总额' and '差额' too.

Tones

Practice 'yú'é' as a smooth upward slide. Don't stop too long between the characters.

App Navigation

Switch your phone language to Chinese for a day. You'll see '余额' everywhere in your banking and payment apps.

Compound Terms

Learn '可用余额' (Available Balance). This is often different from your total balance if you have pending transactions.

Remainder vs Balance

If it's in a ledger, use 余额. If it's in a box, use 剩余.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Yu' as 'You' (surplus) and 'E' as 'Earned'. The 'Yu-E' is what 'You Earned' that is still 'Remaining' in your account.

Asociación visual

Imagine a glass that is half full. The water at the bottom is the 'amount' (额) and the part that is 'extra' or 'remaining' (余) is what you see on your bank app screen.

Word Web

Bank Money Phone Credit Alipay Remainder Account ATM Cashless

Desafío

Try to find the '余额' button on three different Chinese apps (like WeChat, Alipay, or Meituan). Notice how they all use the same word.

Origen de la palabra

The word 余额 is a modern Sinitic compound. '余' (yú) originally depicted a simple shelter or surplus grain, evolving to mean 'remainder.' '额' (é) originally meant 'forehead,' later extending to 'the top part' and then to a 'fixed amount' or 'quota.'

Significado original: The surplus of a fixed amount.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexto cultural

Be careful when asking others about their 余额; like in Western cultures, discussing specific bank balances can be seen as prying or impolite.

In English, we use 'balance' for banks but 'credit' for phones. Chinese uses 余额 for both, which simplifies the vocabulary.

Alipay's 'Yu'ebao' (余额宝) - The world's largest money market fund at its peak. Internet meme: '您的2023年假期余额已不足' (Your 2023 holiday balance is insufficient). Banking apps: Almost every Chinese banking app features '余额查询' as its most prominent button.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Banking

  • 查询余额
  • 账户余额
  • 提现余额
  • 核对余额

Mobile Payments

  • 余额支付
  • 余额宝
  • 余额变动提醒
  • 钱包余额

Transportation

  • 卡内余额
  • 余额不足
  • 公交卡余额
  • 充值余额

Telecommunications

  • 话费余额
  • 流量余额
  • 余额查询短号
  • 欠费

Internet Slang

  • 假期余额
  • 智商余额
  • 精力余额
  • 颜值余额

Inicios de conversación

"请问在哪里可以查询这张卡的余额? (Excuse me, where can I check the balance of this card?)"

"你的手机余额还够用吗? (Is your phone balance still enough to use?)"

"为什么我的账户余额显示不对? (Why is my account balance showing incorrectly?)"

"我们要不要把余额转进理财产品里? (Should we transfer the balance into a wealth management product?)"

"快看,我的假期余额只剩一天了! (Look, my holiday balance only has one day left!)"

Temas para diario

写一写你第一次在海外使用移动支付查询余额的经历。 (Write about your first experience using mobile payment to check your balance abroad.)

如果你的银行卡余额突然多了一百万,你会做什么? (If your bank card balance suddenly increased by a million, what would you do?)

讨论一下在中国这种无现金社会中,管理‘余额’的重要性。 (Discuss the importance of managing 'balances' in a cashless society like China.)

你觉得‘假期余额不足’这种表达方式为什么在年轻人中很流行? (Why do you think the expression 'insufficient holiday balance' is popular among young people?)

描述一下你如何通过核对余额来发现账目错误的。 (Describe how you discovered an accounting error by checking the balance.)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, that is incorrect. For leftover food, use '剩菜' or '剩下的饭'. 余额 is strictly for money or measured quotas in a system.

It means 'Insufficient Balance.' You will hear or see this when you don't have enough money in your account to pay for something.

Usually not. Cash in your pocket is called '现金' or '零钱'. 余额 refers to money in a bank account or on a card.

It is a popular financial product by Alipay where you can store your balance to earn interest while still being able to spend it.

You can say: '我想查询一下我的账户余额' (I would like to check my account balance).

Only in a humorous or metaphorical way, like '假期余额不足' (holiday balance is low). In formal writing, use '剩余时间'.

余额 is the current balance now. 结余 is the surplus left at the end of a specific period (like a month or year).

Yes, it is the standard term used by banks and apps, but it is also used in everyday speech.

No, like most Chinese nouns, it does not change based on quantity.

The most common verbs are 查询 (check), 充值 (top up), 提现 (withdraw), and 支付 (pay).

Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas

writing

Write a sentence using '余额不足' and '不能'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'I need to go to the bank to check my account balance.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Describe a time when you had 'insufficient balance' in 3 sentences.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a formal email sentence asking to verify a balance.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Use the slang '假期余额' in a social media-style post.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Explain the difference between 余额 and 剩余 in Chinese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a sentence about 'available balance' and 'frozen balance'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Compose a short story about someone finding a surprise balance in an old card.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'The system will automatically refund the balance to your wallet.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write 5 common collocations for 余额.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Describe how to check a balance on a smartphone in Chinese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Explain the term '余额宝' to a foreigner in Chinese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'Every cent of the balance must be accounted for.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a sentence about 'insufficient energy balance' (metaphorical).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'Please ensure your balance is sufficient before payment.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a sentence using '结清余额'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'The balance on the card is 50 yuan.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Write a sentence about 'balance fluctuations'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Translate: 'I checked my balance three times today.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
writing

Create a dialogue between a customer and a bank clerk about a wrong balance.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'My bank balance is zero' in Chinese.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Ask 'Where can I check my balance?' in Chinese.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Pronounce '余额不足' with the correct tones.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Explain to a friend why your payment failed using '余额'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I want to top up my phone balance' in Chinese.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Discuss your monthly spending habits using the word '余额'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Tell a joke about your 'IQ balance being insufficient'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'Please verify your account balance' formally.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Describe the process of withdrawing money from a digital wallet.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The holiday balance is almost gone' in Chinese.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Ask a bank clerk to settle your final balance.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Explain why 余额 is important in China.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'The balance change alert was sent to my phone'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'I have a high balance' in a humble way.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Pronounce '账户余额' (zhànghù yú'é).

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'There is still a balance in the card'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'Insufficient balance, please top up'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Explain 'available balance' vs 'total balance'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Say 'My energy balance is at zero'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
speaking

Ask 'What is my current balance?'.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '请确认卡内余额。' What should you do?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

If you hear '余额不足', can you buy the item?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen for the number in: '您的余额还剩八十元。' How much is left?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

What is being checked in: '他在查询话费余额。'?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Identify the keyword: '由于系统维护,余额查询功能暂时关闭。'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

What happened in: '我的余额被冻结了。'?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Where is the person in: '请按一查询余额。'?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

What is the status: '账户余额非常充足。'?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

What is the action: '我要把余额转给朋友。'?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

What is the topic: '我们需要核对上一季度的结余。'?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: '余额见底了。' Does the person have a lot of money?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: '充值成功,余额已更新。' What happened?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: '请注意您的余额变动。' What should you watch?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: '这张卡没有余额。' How much money is on the card?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
listening

Listen: '可用余额包括您的奖金。' What is included?

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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